Paper Jams & Damp Paper

It’s late in the year and the heating is on, which means it’s the season for damp paper and jamming issues. This time of year, we often attend many laser printers and photocopiers experiencing jamming issues, caused by damp paper.

It’s an annoying fact that paper acts as sponge, soaking up the moisture into its fibres from the air. This can cause the paper to stick together, the feed rollers to slip, or even the paper to curl. This can be especially bad if you are printing on both sides of the paper (duplexing), as the paper often gets caught up inside.

If you are experiencing any of these problems, the best thing to do is replace the paper with a fresh ream. A ream is usually around 500 sheets and is wrapped in either plastic, or paper with a wax type coating to prevent moisture getting into the packet.

If your original jamming issues go away after replacing the paper, you now know that this was caused by damp paper. If the issues persists, you will need an engineer to investigate the problem further.

You can book an engineer by calling 01732 860 900 or you can click here to email our service team.

6 Ways to avoid damp paper

Store your paper in a warm dry place.

Only purchase paper sold in sealed reams.

If you your paper store is located in a damp environment, consider purchasing a dehumidifier.

Only load the amount of paper you need for one day into the printer or copier.

If you only use half a ream, leave the rest in the packet and seal it back up with tape.